Chris Hemsworth to star in 'Shadow Runner'

Chris Hemsworth, the star of Marvel's "Thor," is getting busier and busier. He's got "Red Dawn," "The Avengers" and "The Cabin in the Woods" coming soon, and according to Deadline, he's also in talks to star in "Shadow Runner," a pitch acquired by Sony.

It looks like Hossein Amini had a lot to do with the structure of the concept, which Sony is keeping under wraps. One thing is for sure though; "Runner" will be an action flick, a genre Hemsworth has proven he can handle. He will also star in "Snow White and the Huntsman."

This week's new movie releases - May 13, 2011

The summer season at the movies is supposedly in full swing, but the next two weeks won't see that many huge releases. In fact, only three big films will debut this week and the one after that. On the menu this Friday: Universal's comedy "Bridesmaids" and Sony's 3D action piece "Priest." Let's take a closer look.

BRIDESMAIDS, with Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph and Rose Byrne

In the flick, Wiig plays Annie, who looks to bluff her way through the expensive and bizarre rituals with an oddball group of bridesmaids. Sound funny? Kind of. I have high hopes for this one because I thoroughly respect Wiig's talents and comic timing, and luckily enough, she's also got a writing credit on the film.

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Marc Webb confirmed for 'Spider-Man' reboot

I'm really sick of all these recent "Spider-Man" news. I really stopped caring after hearing that Sony would reboot the franchise without Sam Raimi and Tobery Maguire. What's the point in doing this so early?

Anyway, the studio confirmed Marc Webb will direct the new "Spider-Man" film. Webb is known best for directing last summer's hit flick "(500) Days of Summer." The new Spidey flick will hit theaters 2012.

James Vanderbilt wrote the script for the film, which follows Peter Parker in high school. I know it sounds sucky, and chances are it will be. Anyway, the film will surely make money and provoke sequels.

Meanwhile, Risky Business reports Webb has option for two sequels. Apparently, the budget for this new film will be set around $80 million, and even the actors are rumored to be relatively unknown.

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'Zombieland 2' and 'Jackass 3' coming in 3D

3D is taking over Hollywood; that's not a secret anymore. With recent 3D films proving to be box office successes, more and more upcoming films will hit the big screen to make use of the new technique.

Sony is currently developing a 3D sequel to "Zombieland," Ruben Fleischer's excellent horror comedy that brought in $75 million domestically. Fleischer is returning to direct, according to Variety.

Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick are already writing the script, and Sony is also trying to bring back Woody Harrelson and Jesse Eisenberg. I hope they bring back Emma Stone and Abigail Breslin as well.

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Trailer for Michael Jackson's 'This Is It' debuts

The trailer for Sony's upcoming Michael Jackson documentary "This Is It" has finally hit the Web, and you can check it out after the jump. The Kenny Ortega-directed film will hit theaters Oct. 28, 2009 for a limited two-week run.

The film will include scenes drawn from hours of rehearsal and behind-the-scenes footage captured in high definition as Jackson geared up for his concert series in London. The majority of the film's footage was shot in June 2009 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles and The Forum in Inglewood, Calif.

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Saturday film news web roundup: Billy Bob Thornton to star in boxing film?; Sony moves up 'This Is It'

Here are some short but interesting film news that appeared in the trades and on the Web today:

• Billy Bob Thornton is in talks to star in "Pound for Pound," a boxing flick based on F.X. Toole's novel. Writing and directing the project is Ron Shelton. The film focuses on two men whose lives intersect. Thornton would be playing a retired, widowed boxer who slips into depression after his grandson is killed in an accident. The other one is a young Latino fighter struggling with life as well.

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James Vanderbilt to write 'Spider-Man 5 & 6'

"Spider-Man" is entering "Saw" territory as Sony is planning to develop at least a fifth and sixth film in the popular series that kicked of with Sam Raimi's "Spider-Man" in 2002. That's right, Spidey will continue to protect the neighborhood on the big-screen for who knows how long.

From Variety comes the news that James Vanderbilt is set to write "Spider-Man 5" and "Spider-Man 6." Vanderbilt started writing the upcoming "Spider-Man 4," which was rewritten by David Lindsay-Abaire and then Gary Ross. That film is set for release in May 2011.

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Oh No! Wayans to develop 'White Chicks' sequel

The Wayans brothers must be desperate. Maybe they just need some cash. Or maybe they just have too much time on their hands. Heck, maybe they just want to make me suffer. Whatever the reason, the guys are currently gearing up to develop a sequel to "White Chicks" for Sony.

That is no joke. The Hollywood Reporter says Keenen Ivory Wayans is set to direct "White Chicks 2," with Marlon and Shawn Wayans back for the lead roles. In case you missed "Chicks," the film followed two FBI agents dressing up as white girls.

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Michael Jackson movie 'This is It' to open Oct. 30

Fans will be able to see the late Michael Jackson take the stage one more time in "This Is It," a film Sony Pictures will start releasing in theaters worldwide starting Oct. 30, 2009.

The film will include scenes drawn from hours of rehearsal and behind-the-scenes footage captured in high definition as Jackson geared up for his concert series in London. Select sequences in the flick will be in 3D.

The majority of the film's footage was shot in June 2009 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles and The Forum in Inglewood, Calif.

"The world will see what our team was so fortunate to experience, which was the full commitment, passion and creativity that Michael put into this project," said Kenny Ortega, director of the "This Is It" concert.

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This and that in film news: Morgan Freeman to star in Red; Sony's bid for Michael Jackson footage

Here are some brief film news you shouldn't miss on July 20, 2009:

• The great Morgan Freeman is in negotiations to join Bruce Willis in "Red," a thriller based on the WildStorm/DC Comic for Summit Entertainment. Erich Hoeber and Jon Hoeber are in charge of the script, which follows a retired black-ops CIA agent whose peaceful life takes a turn when an assassin shows up at his door to kill him. (Variety)

• Paco Ahlgren's sci-fi novel "Discipline" will be heading to the big screen, with David Permut and Steve Lee Jones producing the project. The story, according to Variety, follows "a man's psychological battle with an enemy he cannot see." Permut's producing credits include "Youth in Revolt." Jones is wrapping the documentary "Kevorkian."

• All things Michael Jackson are certainly in high demand these days, and the Hollywood Reporter says Sony is pursuing the distribution rights to a flick based on the late artist's recent rehearsal footage by bidding $50 million. Nothing's confirmed at this stage, but studios including Paramount, Universal, 20th Century Fox and Warner Bros. recently caught a glimpse at some of the footage.

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